Today’s letters: The Monarchy is an essential part of Canada

The Monarchy is an essential part of Canada

This week letters editor Paul Russell asked readers: “Do the Windsors have a future in Canada?” By approximately a three-to-one margin, readers said “Yes.”

Royals connect us to our past

— The monarchy links us to our past, looks to the future, connects outwards to the Commonwealth. It celebrates our British heritage, which gave us continuity, stability, the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech, from arbitrary arrest, equality before the law, our judicial and commercial systems. Canada without the monarchy would be a lesser place. Desmond Scotchmer, Toronto.

— Windsors: trained for the job, can wave, smile and stand for hours, look good in hats and funky uniforms, indebted to no one nor to a specific cause, a link to the past and to the future. Elected head of state: ability to relate to public unknown, stamina unknown, owing allegiance to whoever elected them, temporary, no link to the past or the future. What’s not to like about the Windsors? Judy Cline, St. Catharines, Ont.

— An hereditary head of state is the worst constitutional arbiter — except for all the others. Swap the Windsors for the Smiths of Lethbridge? The next regime will oust them for les Martins of Trois-Rivières. And, better to keep the family that’s already kidnapped than venerate a piece of paper in the republican fashion. Kirk Zurell, Waterloo, Ont.

— The Windsors will continue to have a future in Canada as long as the monarchists and the republicans lock horns and thus provide Messrs. Coyne, Kay, McParland and Selley with something to write about. Do we really want an unending succession of presidents of variable abilities? At least the Windsors remain in their own back yard, occasionally grace us with their presence, and don’t presume to tell us how to manage, or mismanage, our own household. Malcolm Bell, Lions Bay, B.C.

— The Windsors are like my family and yours, the only difference is that they are very wealthy. And it doesn’t seem right or logical to disown someone just because they are wealthy. They bring to my life a sense of order and tradition which is embodied through spectacular pageantry. And they inspire me to help those who may not be as fortunate. Aspasia Helene Souhleris, Toronto

— The Americans venerate a piece of paper. We prefer to have royalty because of our British history. Some want a homegrown manifestation of our Canadianism. This should be discussed and established before we blow up the monarchy like the some northern branch of the Taliban. This transition will not be easy when many Canadians cannot even name the first prime minister. Allen Strike, Port Hope, Ont.

— The monarchy is unwavering and will endure. Former prime minister Trudeau’s June 1967 comment says it all: “ I wouldn’t lift a finger to get rid of the monarchy. I think the monarchy, by and large, has done more good than harm to Canada.” God save the Queen. Noel Coward, Kingston, Ont.

— The monarchy adds another dimension to being Canadian. It is a stabilizing rudder, above politics and petty prejudices, a symbol of sacrifice, dignity, courtesy and concern for others. It behoves all generations of this country to endeavour to emulate some, if not all of these qualities. Nancy A. Osler, Toronto.

— Canada and Britain have a historical connection — in the early years before our Confederation, British soldiers fought, died and are still buried beneath Canadian soil. Our modest recognition of the Queen is simply a “thank you” to Britain for helping to make Canada a country that stands on its own. Not just a territory to be absorbed into the United States. Sarah Porter, Mississauga, Ont.

— The Queen has an important role to play. She can act to protect the rule of law from a dictatorial government that might refuse to leave office when voted from power. She may dissolve parliament and appoint another government. She is also the defender of the Protestant faith. To replace the Royal family would be very unwise. Julia Serup, Prince George, B.C.

— When I observe the playground antics of Canada’s House of Commons and Senate, I shudder to think that a politician could become our head of state (Imagine, President Bev Oda!). Our Queen is above politics; she represents Canada with a dignity and grace unparalleled in any of the world’s republics.” Graham Hynds, Richmond Hill, Ont.

— I can sum up my sentiments in two words: President Chrétien! Tom Singer, Burlington, Ont.

— It’s not so much about the Windsor family but about an institution that is above the tawdry designs of self-seeking egomaniac politicians and their sycophants. From Canada, West to the Solomon Islands and New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, India and the rest of the Commonwealth nations we all rejoice in having an impartial head of state. It might as well be her. David J. Baughn. Toronto.

— The Windsors? Well I actually don’t mind people from that end of our province; they seem nice. Oooh, you mean the other Windsors, then? As for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her Royal family, yes. They are not only part of our future but as well have been a big part of our past and our present. It is what defines us as a nation; from our birth to the present and do I dare say gives us a touch of class. Paula Kelly, Oshawa, Ont.

— I hope the Windsors have a future in Canada: Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. Heather MacDonald, Ottawa.

— The Windsors have a future in Canada because they are inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation and its government. Instead of eliminating the monarchy, Canadians must learn about it and see its relevance to the country, the government and society. As an historian, it upsets me that some Canadians are keen to eliminate the traditions of the founding nations and to replace them, often with something inferior. L.J. Partington, Toronto.

— There is a future for the House of Windsor to continue to provide those who reign. It comes down to this: There is more to governing than politics. The House of Windsor has borne witness to this, regardless of how it has been named. David W. Lincoln, Edmonton.

— Just looking at how low the quality of debate has sunk in our Parliament makes me long for the wise and tempered voice demonstrated by Her Majesty. While some may say the monarchy is irrelevant to a country with a repatriated constitution (sorry, Quebec) and Charter of Rights, I believe the presence of a monarchy and membership in a commonwealth of nations bring stability and sanity in an increasingly fractious world. Bev Simpson, Toronto.

— I can’t think of anything more dreary than another politician sucking up and pandering for votes to become our head of state. Keep our monarchy. It works and it is cost effective. Derek Hall, Ponoka, Alta.

— The monarchy is what keeps Canada from being just another part of the United States. We fought the War of 1812 to keep the monarchy and parliamentary system and it is working just fine for us. We want a queen or king as head of state, not a president who was a film star, etc. Donna McColl, Hamilton, Ont.

— The United States makes a big deal about their independence, but Canada’s monarchy and our political system is one of the best in the world. The Royal family is wildly popular and I hope it goes on forever. I would hate to see Stephen Harper as president. John McColl, Hamilton, Ont.

— I trust that the monarchy will continue in Canada for as long as people like me keep coming to this country: people who believe in God and respect the ways of their new homeland; people for whom the oath we gave to the Queen and her descendants has meaning. A nation that chooses to throw away its past has no future. Pavel Sorokin, Vancouver.

— We are better off to maintain the monarchy because I’m rather skeptical about having an elected head of state. He may be a diehard apologist of one of the parties whereas our current Queen is neutral on political matters, regardless of what her own political convictions might be. John Clubine, Toronto.

— The constitutional monarchy has worked well in Canada for a very long time. Rather than dwelling on whether people like a particular Royal family member or another, we must remember this system — which guarantees our civil rights — continues in our nation’s life for our benefit. Thomas A. Wardle, Toronto.

Let’s select our own head of state

— Do the Windsors have a future in Canada? Less and less as time goes by. As a transplanted Yankee, I wonder about this sentimental attachment to a figurehead 3,000 miles away. Time to get your own Canadian identity once and for all! (I can hear the monarchists screaming already). Lars Troide, Apple Hill, Ont.

— During its former days of empire, “If you can’t send a brigade, send a band,” was a British aphorism that summarized their attitude and tactics. With fewer brigades, Britain is no longer a world power and their pageants have become tawdry. The show-biz glitz and military ceremonials during the Jubilee celebrations confirmed that. As Britain sinks into irrelevance, some British are still enamoured with our Queen. Many Canadians aren’t. Let’s select our own head of state. Ron Johnson, Victoria

— I would imagine it is time to phase the Royal family out. The respect they once had is pretty much gone. Trying to teach our young about the Queen and all her family would be quite a task as well. Plus getting something so “historic and British” into our schools would be the even bigger task. Alistair Mckay, Thornhill, Ont.

— No serious observer of our political system believes it is working as well as it could or should. Incremental change over decades has eroded the role of the MP, the distinction between the executive and the legislative functions, and the connection citizens have to our government. A king or queen cannot replace that loss in a liberal democracy. Hate to say it, but a constitutional overhaul is due. Ted Wakefield, Guelph, Ont.

— A head of state imposed from afar, based solely on hereditary privilege is a quaint relic of the past. With all due respect to our present head of state, I think she herself would find it not at all insulting or offensive to suggest that Canada has evolved and matured sufficiently to select one of our own. England’s children have grown up. Morton Doran, Fairmont, B.C.

— In a democracy, the will of the people prevails. In Canada, the will of one man prevails: the prime minister who controls a parliament of political parties. He pretends to act in the name of the Queen but, in reality, he impose his own will. It is time that we abolished the monarchy so that the prime minister can be controlled by parliament. To this end, the electoral system should be changed so that the people elect their preferred candidates. Lucien Saumur, Kanata, Ont.

— The longer that we keep the charade up with this bloodline hierarchy then the longer we will be perpetuating the idea of the rest of us being peasants. Adam Mozzetti, Aurora, Ont.

— The fact that the question, “Do the Windsors have a future in Canada?,” dares to be asked (especially in a paper like the National Post) suggests the answer is “probably not.” As my generation shuffles off over the next decade or two, the question will become “The Windsors? The Windsor Whos?” My generation of Canadians is probably the last who know the words to God Save the Queen, Rule Britannia and I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts. Fraser Petrick, Kingston, Ont.

— I’m a conservative, and as such, I believe everything my taxes pay for should either offer some obvious benefit to society, or be promptly scrapped. The monarchy has not kept Canadians united, it has not protected our democracy from decay, and it has not made our citizenry more dutiful or respectful — despite promising all of these things. As a government program it’s been a failure, and its time we stopped propping it up. J.J. McCullough, Coquitlam, BC

— Democracy and the monarchy are polar opposites. The former believes that all are equal. The latter believes a select few are superior. Let’s do away with bowing and walking backwards and submitting to those who inherited a position of power. It’s discrimination cloaked in an outdated tradition. Is Canada ready to grow up? Let’s exercise our democratic right and find out. Chris Asimoudis, Ancaster. Ont.

Other thoughts

— I love and admire the Queen. She is a lady, a term we cannot attribute to many women these days. There is nobody in the Royal family with the grace, wisdom, intelligence, mores and hard working ethic that she possesses. I think the lights should be turned off in Buckingham Palace when Her Majesty departs this world, and all her properties should be turned into museums. Rosalind Russell, Vancouver.

— Perhaps the more fundamental question is: “Do the Windsors have a future in Britain?” Both in Canada and in the motherland, during the much-loved reign of Elizabeth II, the answer has become increasingly obvious: The Queen is the monarchy and the monarchy is the Queen. Ironically, the Queen’s uniquely personal success may well prove a harbinger of the Crown’s eventual constitutional demise, once she’s gone E.W. Bopp, Tsawwassen, B.C.

— The question should be: “ ‘Which’ Windsors have a future in Canada?” Queen Elizabeth’s sense of duty has found admirers even among separatists, but many of the Royals are divorce/scandal/freewheeling/ loafers who have not done the institution any good. Charles has so much baggage there’s enough airmiles to fly around the world umpteen times. The only future the Monarchy has in Canada lies with William and Kate. To them, like Elizabeth, it’s a job, not a lifestyle. Douglas Cornish, Ottawa.

— If the Windsors don’t have a future in Canada, nor do the manufacturers of tea towels, stamps and biscuit tins. John Clench, Vancouver.

— One of two thoughts must cross the mind of Queen Liz when she retires to the safety of her castle every evening. The first: “They love me, they really love me, it truly is my duty and birthright to rule England and the empire.” Or, “Can you believe it Philip? We duped them for another day.” It saddens me that either response was a possibility in the 12th century let alone the 21st. Niels Schonberg, Oshawa, Ont.

— As long as Canadians are kept in the dark about the true extent of the monarchy’s constitutional powers as well as its personal and state holdings in Canada, the monarchy will likely survive here. The monarchy also has an ongoing obligation to First Nations in through the treaties it signed with them. Few Canadians understand this relationship and what the implications are for Canadians regarding our rights to this land if the monarchy was to be abandoned by us. Jennifer Asimoudis, Ancaster, Ont.

(we did not have room for these letters in Monday’s paper)

If by deinstitutionalizing the monarchy, we can rid ourselves of the French fact, native rights, multiculturalism, an Armed Forces with boots in two camps and that dated Richards’ portrait of the Queen; then let’s cut the Windsors loose and select our head of state at the ballot box. Or are we simply not yet Canadian enough to stand alone? Douglas L. Martin, Hamilton, Ont.

Our constitutional monarchy is functioning just fine and is the envy of many corrupt sad sack attempts at government around the world. I am proud to have the Queen as our head of state. There is this rather annoying and disturbing movement in Canada to both revise or wipe out selected history and traditions that have built this country into the finest in the world. Hard work and sacrifice (in many cases the ultimate sacrifice) were not done to turn us into a bland politically correct wasteland. Enough I say! Add to out traditions ,but do not destroy our honoured history. God save the Queen (and her successors). David W. Hazell, Mississauga, Ont.

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and ought to remain so. The monarchy provides strong stable government and comprises an essential component of the foundation of the nation. Pierre Trudeau tried to destroy that foundation and create a new artificial utopian socialist/pacifist entity. He failed and Stephen Harper is rebuilding Canada in line with its true heritage for the benefit of all citizens. Sean Henry, Ottawa.

The Queen and her family have more of a place in Canada than the most often suggested alternative. Take a look at last year’s election and the kerfuffle that’s still ongoing from that–robocalls, I’m looking at you. Now, take a look at the mess on the other side of the 49th–anything and everything Tea Party, I’m looking at you among others. We could do with a somewhat better choice for Governor General, mind you, but at least this one hasn’t called himself the head of state — yet. James Homuth, Ottawa.

Yes, I believe they do. If you are asking to make a choice between the Monarchy as head of state or an elected official, I would choose a Windsor any day. The present system works well, no need for change. Nicolas Bell

None of the mainstream political parties, nor the Green party, has advocated abolition of the monarchy as plank in their platform. It is a non-starter. Before any of them took up the cause Canada would have to eliminate unemployment, have a truly universal health care plan that paid for itself, be the model of environmental sustainability, and be totally secure in our sense of identity. In short, until we want for nothing I think the future of the House of Windsor is secure. David Montgomery, Cambridge, Ont.

I am old enough to have been taught in school the meaning of “constitutional monarchy” and its importance in representing and perpetuating the unwritten aspects of what makes this a country. Having been a teacher in Ontario for my adult working life, I saw the changes in curriculum that made such teaching almost non-existent; we have an adult population now that lacks such understanding and may very well fall for the apparent benefits of doing away with the hereditary figurehead. I do hope that sense will prevail, that people will realize that having an elected head of state would mean all the self-serving and competitive aspects of politics would prevail. Could we trust the current House and Senate to make a wise choice? Carolyn Eaton, Petawawa, Ont.

The Queen and the monarchy is part of what makes Canada so special and it brings out the best in Canadians. The Queen has set an excellent example of continual service to one’s country and the Commonwealth. I have been privileged to have lived under two great Queens, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and Queen Elizabeth of Canada. Fred Herrndorf RCN (Ret’d)

Woven through our history is the golden thread of the continuous blood line of the Royal Family providing that constancy which Shakespeare could only find in the stars. But from the female perspective their most endearing quality, which surfaced in the thirties and again recently, has been the spurning of youth and beauty and the bestowing of the royal love and devotion on the inward depth and character of a woman past her prime. This characteristic alone provides reason enough for the perpetuation of and our association with the Windsors. Betty L. Reade, Oakville, Ont.

Those who want to keep the British monarch as Canada’s head of state are the same people who were opposed to a Canadian as governor general, a Canadian national anthem and a Canadian flag. The Monarchists insult Canadians by claiming we cannot replace a foreign monarch with a Canadian head of state. They also believe that a future Canada of about 50 million people will still be subjects of a British monarch. We will never take our place among the great nations of the world until we shed our colonial mentality. As an independent republic, Canada, like India, could still be a member of the Commonwealth. William Bedford, Toronto.